George Walter Martin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
George Walter Martin was born in 1897 at Askham and was the son of Walter and Sarah Martin. His parents were both to die whilst George was very young and he was brought up by his uncle and aunt John Henry and Gertrude Martin of Northgate Newark. In the 1911 census the family are living at 77 Northgate Newark and are shown as John Henry Martin 40 yrs a caretaker, he is living with his wife Gertrude 36 yrs and their daughter Lily Gertrude 13 yrs a scholar and nephew George Walter 14 yrs a scholar.
Private George Walter Martin, enlisted at Lincoln whilst residing at Newark, he served with the 1st battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, he was killed in action on Christmas Day 25th December 1916, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
His best friend Lance Corporal Wilfred Gelsthorpe, Machine Gun Corps wrote to his aunt Gertrude, " I am sorry to say the news I have is not good. I come from Newark, the same as your boy, so I thought it best that I write to you and let you know that he met his death on Christmas afternoon,. It is not a job that I like, but I know you would get to know sooner or later, so I thought it best to write. I feel very sorry for you and all at home. Your boy and I left Grimsby (training camp) together and we were great friends. It was your boy's wish for me to write if anything happened to him. I was first on the spot when he fell and I will tell you more when I come home and see you" Lance Corporal Wilfred Gelsthorpe was killed on 11 April 1917. Article published 17th January 1917 in the Newark Advertiser :- Son of late Walter & Sarah Martin. Nephew of Mrs Martin, 77 Northgate, Newark. An orphan and had lived with his aunt and uncle since he was twelve years of age. A scholar at Lovers’ Lane Council School and afterwards an errand boy at Mr Daybell’s butcher, Market Place. He subsequently obtained employment as a farm boy with Mr Clayton, Collingham. Soon after war broke out he volunteered for service but was rejected. However, two years ago he succeded in joining the Lincolns and was sent to France twelve months ago. Fell in action on Christmas Day, the news received in a letter from his friend, L/Cpl. W. Gelsthorpe (machine gun section) of 3 Vernon Street, Newark.
No Photos